CBS Rewrites Rules

Situation comedy is passé. The formulaic assist and punch line configuration dooms the vast majority of pilots. For every winner, there are a dozen humorless losers. On Monday, CBS scored with “Rules of Engagement.”

Featuring a married, engaged, single male triad, the program profiles and stabs accepted stereotypes. Showcased were situations all can relate with. While this subject has been previously broached, Rules was not stale. The writing was smart and witty. The acting did not mar the hilarious words.

The show is not perfect. David Spade’s character must remain flip and sarcastic. The married, Al Bundy-esque character could easily be overdone. With that stated, the freshman episode was fantastic. Amidst a darkened lot of sitcom coal, Rules of Engagement may be a diamond.